Although I was born on the Las Vegas strip, my lineage traces back to Palermo, where my grandparents emigrated from long ago. They arrived on Ellis Island with one simple goal: to work hard, no matter the obstacles. This lead them through a host of trials and tribulations, for better and for worse. Finally, this led them to a very small town in Northwest Georgia, just 50 miles away from the heart of the Blue Ridge mountains. I can't think, for the life of me, how this came to be. Our tan-brown Sicilian skin is a stark contrast to the pale glow of most of my neighbors. Seeing another kid with curly black hair was an exception rather than a mainstay. However, as time moved on, something was evident: the work ethic of the people was immense. Extra time was made to ensure that projects were done as perfectly as possible. What we lacked in outer appearance we more than made up for in values. Not the worst place to be a kid.